30.55% of the over 108,000 eligible turned out October 25th to vote, up 5.45% from 25.1% in 2006. The voters sent a clear message to the newly elected Oshawa City Council after electing a new Mayor, John Henry. Voters want to see an end to the ever increasing taxes and the bitter disputes and divisive council. This is a new council and the citizens want to see it run like a business with a cohesive council that will work to keep our City’s Strategic and Financial Plan on track.

Six key issues of concern or major concern to the business community identified in a recent survey were Economic Development with 92% of respondents feeling this should be of concern or major concern, followed closely by Finance and Taxation, Hwy 407 Extension, Downtown Rejuvenation, Environment, and the sixth issue with a 55% rating was Business Property Taxes.

Although only 30.55% of the over 108,000 eligible voters in Oshawa turned out in October to vote, the electorate voted on the question “Are you in favour of the Council of the Regional Municipality of Durham passing the necessary resolutions and by-laws to change the method of selecting its Chair from appointment by the members of Regional Council to election by general vote of all electors in the Region?”  63.7% of Oshawa voters were in favour, 17.6% voted no and 18.6% of the voters casting ballots did not vote Yes or No.

As the biggest and most important businesses constituency in the country, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and its network across the country issued a resounding call to action in the wake of proposed changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program, and plans to increase EI premiums by the maximum allowed under federal legislation. Its voice was heard loudly.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has launched the Accessibility Works website and online compliance toolkit, www.accessibilityworks.ca, to help Ontario businesses become aware of and comply with Ontario’s new customer service standard. The toolkit is comprised of 2 sections—an overview of the customer service standard and its requirements, and a self assessment tool to analyze the users’ knowledge of the standard upon completion of the training module.

Mickey Mouse makes people laugh, but behind that lovable mouse is a well-oiled business machine. More than 300 people took advantage of a rare opportunity to take an exclusive look at the “business behind the magic” from Walt Disney World© Resort insiders during a daylong “Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence” program held Thursday, September 23 and a 90 minute “Disney’s Approach to Quality Service” seminar held on Friday, September 24th at the Holiday Inn Oshawa Whitby Conference Centre in Oshawa. PHOTO: Program facilitators from the Disney Institute Steve Sweet (left) and Mark Matheis (right) present John A. Walker, president of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, with a plaque of appreciation for hosting the “Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence” seminar held at the Holiday Inn Oshawa Whitby Conference Centre on Thursday, September 23, 2010.

Municipal elections are being held across the province of Ontario on October 25, 2010. In this election you will be voting for the offices of Mayor, Regional Councillor, Local Councillor and School Board Trustees. Our government has a responsibility to serve communities; our collective responsibility is to ensure that they do it well. As readers and subscribers to this newsletter, we are champions of diversity and inclusion. Actively participating in the democratic process, and promoting opportunities to share power with people who haven’t shared in it in the past, is our collective responsibility.

The Durham Economic Prosperity Conference will be held on Friday, November 5, 2010 at the Ajax Convention Centre. As a gathering of influential and diverse leaders, attendees will work together to develop solutions and uncover new opportunities for growth. The Committee is pleased to have a very distinguished line up of speakers scheduled, with CBC Dragons’ Den host Dianne Buckner as the facilitator for the Conference. This event is by invitation only, visit www.durhamprosperity.org for details.

Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) discovered all Durham Region has to offer at Durham Day at Queen’s Park on September 27.  MPPs had the opportunity to learn about Durham during the legislative assembly’s lunch recess. Agriculture, education, energy, innovation, manufacturing and tourism in Durham were showcased through displays, videos, presentations and a savoury Durham-grown lunch.

Oshawa’s VIA Rail service is on track to receive major improvements as part of VIA’s Corridor Improvement Program—the largest-ever improvement and investment program in the 153-year history of passenger rail service in the Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto triangle.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce Report
The Canadian Chamber wrote to Minister Flaherty to express its deep concern over reports that the government may be called upon to permit the maximum allowable increase to Employment Insurance (EI) premiums - 15 cents/$100 for employees and 21 cents/$100 for employers—to come into effect in January 2011 after a two-year freeze. Such an increase would have significant negative implications for the 420 chambers of commerce and boards of trade across Canada that are members of the Canadian Chamber network and for the 192,000 businesses they represent. Click here to view the letter to Minister Flaherty. Visit www.www.chamber.ca for more information from Canadian Chamber of Commerce